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Dracena troubles
Dracena troubles
Posted by Nicole
from Chicago
on 2001-03-20 15:11:36
received 1 year ago. The leaves are
turning yellow and brown from the edges
and curling in. Also, it is developing
splits right down the middle of some of
the big leaves. And some light, grayish
areas. No bugs I can see. Too much
water, not enough? How much sun should
it get?
Also, should I get it a bigger pot? It
has four trunks, one of which is
splitting vertically. The current pot is
about 18-20" in diameter. I don't really
want it to get any bigger if possible.
Thanks!
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My methods
Nicole,
Posted by Carole from NY on 2001-03-20 15:12:24
I barely ever water mine. I do however
mist them about once a week which seems
to have stopped my tips from getting
brown. So I would definetly stop
watering it as well as maybe a smaller
pot due to they do like to be some what
potbound. Every once in a while wipe the
dust off the leaves as well as a light
mist will help. Good luck and please do
keep me posted on the out come.
Carole-
repotting
I agree with Carole. Dracaena marginatas
Posted by Leslie from MO on 2001-03-20 15:13:40
are very hardy plants and very
long-lived. Don't water unless the soil
feels dry at least once inch deep. They
need bright light, such as an eastern or
western window. You could divide the
plant if it has separate canes, or you
could remove the plant from the pot, cut
the bottom three-four inches of roots
off with a sharp knife, add fresh soil
to the pot, then put the plant back in.
Do not trim the roots right now since
the plant looks unhealthy. This should
only be done with healthy plants. If the
plant is very stressed and unhealthly, I
would not repot it right now either.
Make sure the soil is not being kept too
wet and the plant is getting enough
light. When the plant recovers and
starts growing new leaves, then repot,
divide, or trim the roots.
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Dracena/corn plant
First, I gave the wrong name of the
Posted by Nicole from Chicago on 2001-03-20 15:14:51
plant. It is a Dracaena Mageana (sp?) -
Corn Plant. I'm afraid I have watered
inconsistantly - maybe once every two
weeks. How can I tell the right amount?
I thought maybe it was underwatering
since the house is very dry. How can I
check the roots since they are all
hidden in the pot? What should the roots
look like if they are healthy? Also,
this plant is quite large, how do I
split it into two pots? I have trimmed
some of the brown parts off the leaves
and wiped off all the dust.
Thanks!
-
Corn Plant Care
The corn plant have very shallow roots
Posted by Leslie from MO on 2001-03-20 15:15:59
and rarely needs repotting. It may be in
too big of a pot. They prefer to be
rootbound. You could divide, cut the
roots between the canes with a sharp
knife, then plant each division in a
smaller pot. They will tolerate lower
lighting. I think eastern lighting is
best for these plants. Feel the soil
before watering, check it weekly.
Sometimes during the winter the soil
dries out quicker because of heating our
homes. Only water when the soil feels
dry at least an inch deep. Brown edges
are common on leaves of corn plants.-
Sun?
Carole and Leslie,
Posted by Nicole from Chicago on 2001-03-20 15:16:46
Thanks for your help. So, I should:
only water if the soil is dry more than
1" deep and mist the leaves once a
week. But does the plant need lots of
sun, or only a little sun? It came from
inside a commercial bank lobby, so maybe
more shade? Do I need to cut off
damaged leaves, or just ignore them. The
ones I trimmed don't seem to be growing
at all.
-
Dracena Massangeana
If your corn plant came from a bank
Posted by Will from NY on 2001-03-20 15:18:21
lobby, I assume it was being replaced
for a reason. Replaced plants are often
not in the best of health. Provide
bright indirect light, such as in front
of an unobstructed north window. The sun
should never shine directly onto its
leaves. Damaged leaves can be cut with
scissors to a nicer shape (similar to
trimming fingernails) or they can be
removed entirely. Individual leaves do
not grow back. The split cane is
probably dead or dying and should be
removed from the pot when it no longer
has any leaves. Water as you were
previously instructed. Misting is
unnecessary because this plant does well
in low humidity. Trim off any roots that
are growing out of the drainage holes.
Otherwise do not disturb the roots by
repotting or dividing. Also do not
fertilize at this time. Pe patient: Your
plant has been in a state of decline for
quite some time and itwill take even
longer to get it fully recovered. Good
luck.
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